Terminator Salvation: Review Central

[BestGirl]

The problem I had about this movie was one nagging question: What is so great about John Connor? Why is he the savior of humanity? What did he do to warrant millions of resistance bowing before him?

John Connor is nothing in this film. He's worthless. He should've died. The rewrites made this film worse than the original script. Nolan should've fleshed out Marcus and Kyle's involvement with Connor, not the other way around.

Supposedly this film was rushed into production due to the writers' strike so there wasn't enough time to overhaul the original script. I really wish they'd had more time to smooth out the film's rough edges and get rid of the plotholes and contrived moments.

That's the beauty of the original script. Skynet actually believes they are the good guys, when they are not. It's only an appearance.

No one is taking John Connor's place. They could've revised the original so that Connor's thoughts, mind, and heart were downloaded into the body of the half-human, half-hybrid machine. They could've revised it where there is a coherent plot running along with Marcus and Kyle as the main characters, except Nolan ****ed it up.

There are no main characters in this crappy film. There is no one too root for. No emotional investment or attachment to any of the characters. What a pity.

Then Bale wouldnt've been able to play Connor in sequels. I don't think the audience would've wanted that.

How about we never introduce Marcus and make the movie about John Connor the way it should have been?

I liked Marcus, but Connor needed equal screentime. I wish he and Marcus would've had more scenes together. In fact, what this movie needed more of were quieter scenes in which the characters get to know one another.

 

[Darthphere]

Whether you like Marcus or not (It's up to you) he's pretty much irrelevant. He adds nothing to the franchise and is really unnecessary.

 

[The Chris]

I can also see that script getting some massive walkouts. Skynet thinks they're the good guys? Sounds like they were ripping on The Matrix there (The Animatrix showed the machines weren't all that bad). No real point of all that going through time business, since the John Connor we'd been told about wouldn't even have been human.

This movie's script with more time and detail could have been fixed up, and who knows maybe an extended cut will fix it because for me it's not about what's wrong with what terminator Salvation has but more about what it doesn't have. This other script though, sounds completely ridiculous and I think would translate worse on screen. People are complaining about the heart transplant, imagine seeing Connor die and then his face get put on a machine for really no reason since no one sees connor in the script.

 

[Corpus Luteum]

Then Bale wouldnt've been able to play Connor in sequels. I don't think the audience would've wanted that.

Did you read the original script? In the end, Connor dies, but they deflesh his face and sow it on the machine. So that's why I said, let's add his mind as well, into the machine, not just his face, so Bale can act in future sequels.

 

[BestGirl]

Whether you like Marcus or not (It's up to you) he's pretty much irrelevant. He adds nothing to the franchise and is really unnecessary.

Yeah, I think the writers wanted him to be the new Arnold, you know, a lovable Terminator, but it didn't really come off.

 

[Corpus Luteum]

I can also see that script getting some massive walkouts. Skynet thinks they're the good guys? Sounds like they were ripping on The Matrix there (The Animatrix showed the machines weren't all that bad). No real point of all that going through time business, since the John Connor we'd been told about wouldn't even have been human.

This movie's script with more time and detail could have been fixed up, and who knows maybe an extended cut will fix it because for me it's not about what's wrong with what terminator Salvation has but more about what it doesn't have. This other script though, sounds completely ridiculous and I think would translate worse on screen. People are complaining about the heart transplant, imagine seeing Connor die and then his face get put on a machine for really no reason since no one sees connor in the script.

That's what they should've revised! Have you been listening to what I've been saying? Instead of having Connor shout jargons and gruff chatter which adds nothing to the story, Connor should've met Marcus from the start, not realizing he was half-robot, until near the end.

 

[BestGirl]

Did you read the original script? In the end, Connor dies, but they deflesh his face and sow it on the machine. So that's why I said, let's add his mind as well, into the machine, not just his face, so Bale can act in future sequels.

No, I didn't read the original script. I thought you were referring to shoving John's brain into Marcus's body or something. My mistake.

 

[Darthphere]

Yeah, I think the writers wanted him to be the new Arnold, you know, a lovable Terminator, but it didn't really come off.

Yeah, I'm growing tired of nice terminators.

 

[The Chris]

That's what they should've revised! Have you been listening to what I've been saying? Instead of having Connor shout jargons and gruff chatter which adds nothing to the story, Connor should've met Marcus from the start, not realizing he was half-robot, until near the end.

That last idea sounds interesting. That would have gave Bale a lot more to do character and emotion wise.

I'm just mentioning how the ideas in the original script are some of the most asinine things I've ever read. At least now there is a chance to fix things. If they went that other way, that would have been a wrap.

 

[LostSon88]

For those interested another article critiquing TS....

Why Terminator Salvation Isn’t a Terminator Film

By Krystal Clark


Don’t let the title fool you. The sole purpose of this article isn’t to bash the latest installment of the Terminator film franchise. My goal is to actually do the opposite. I’ve seen Terminator Salvation and read some critic and fan reviews, and I’ve noticed several concerns regarding the film’s placement in the series. The biggest complaint is that it isn’t a worthy successor to the the other films. With that being said, I can understand your frustration. I don’t think Salvation is a bad movie, I actually think it’s a great action flick. It’s just that it’s not supposed to be your typical action film, it’s supposed to be Terminator, so why doesn’t it fit with the rest of the series?
Enter at your own risk. SPOILERS ahead.



Protagonist/Antagonist: This is the basic good versus evil element that is usually displayed as the protector going toe to toe with the assassin. In the Terminator world John Connor is always at the epicenter of conflict. The machines have been trying to take him out since before he was conceived. His protector is always someone who is in some shape or fashion inferior to his assassin, but are diligent in their duty. In the first film Kyle Reese is a human going up against a machine. In T2: Judgment Day, the original Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) goes up against Robert Patrick’s slicker and more advanced T-1000. T3: Rise of the Machines pits the T-800 against Kristanna Loken’s faster and stronger TX model. But in Terminator Salvation that match up doesn’t exist. It’s not John Connor versus Marcus Wright. If anything its the humans versus Skynet. There’s no main Terminator to fear. There’s just a random one Marcus fights at the end, and Arnold’s CGI cameo that Connor fights while in Skynet headquarters. Where’s the payoff?

No John Connor love. For the first time in the franchise I wasn’t rooting for John Connor. I know it sounds like blasphemy, but a lot of people have been complaining about his lack of character development. I agree that his arc in this film was unclear, but the guy’s had three previous installments surrounding his story. I think we know more about him than he does. Unfortunately, with all the build up that we’ve been given of what John Connor would become, he’s kind of a let down. He wasn’t bad ass or memorable in anyway. All we know is that Michael Ironside (the Resistance general in the sub) hates him, and considers him some kind of a “rebel.”


Who’s the real hero here? We have been taught throughout the entire series that John Connor is the savior of mankind’s future, yet once again his life lies in the hands of a machine. Not only does Marcus save his life multiple times, but he sacrifices himself so that John can live. Throughout all the promotions for the film they kept trying to set it up as if Marcus was this cyborg who couldn’t be trusted. They made it seem as if there was going to be a match up between Christian Bale and Sam Worthington. In reality it was more of Marcus busting his ass to help John, Kyle, Blair, the little mute girl and everybody else. I found myself drawn much more to him than Connor, and that’s just not right.


The good with the bad. Even though there were several basic Terminator themes missing from this film, McG did try to pay homage to the previous films by adding little things here and there. I loved the opening and closing credits with the Terminator score, it really got me into an epic train of thought. The usage of the Guns & Roses song from T2, and the infamous line that John recited when Kate asked him what she should tell his men while leaving for his mission. He simply replied, “Tell them, I’ll be back.”
Overall I think that McG tried to do something different with the franchise, but he ended up straying too far from the source material. I think he made a great summer action film. It’s enjoyable, and entertaining, but it’s not Terminator. You have John Connor, you have Skynet, but you’re missing the main villain. Marcus Wright doesn’t fit the bill. If anything he’s a kick ass anti-hero. The film is entitled Terminator Salvation, but who’s really the savior?

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

That's what they should've revised! Have you been listening to what I've been saying? Instead of having Connor shout jargons and gruff chatter which adds nothing to the story, Connor should've met Marcus from the start, not realizing he was half-robot, until near the end.

That sounds like a neat idea to me.

 

[Corpus Luteum]

They rushed it. This movie could've been great with that single premise. **** Hollywood.

 

[co2]

I still think this movie should have focused more on Connor as the hero and left the Marcus story line for the next film. We've heard for 3 movies...since 1984..that Connor is the hero of the resistance and savior of the human race! And still, he did nothing but become the leader by default! Argh!!

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I still think this movie should have focused more on Connor as the hero and left the Marcus story line for the next film. We've heard for 3 movies...since 1984..that Connor is the hero of the resistance and savior of the human race! And still, he did nothing but become the leader by default! Argh!!

But they wouldn't have been able to ape T2 if they did that!

It's seems to me that Marcus Wright is the real hero in this franchise. John Connor being useless as a kid in T2 is alright but John Connor being useless as an Adult is the dumbest thing I've ever seen.

The great leader John Connor should have made that robot his b**ch at the end instead Arno-er Marcus Wright to the rescue!

 

[Lone]

I don't get all the hate about this movie. I watched it last night and liked it.

As a Terminator fan, this is definitely better than T3 but there's definitely room for improvement. I'd very much like to see the extended cut of this movie and I'm willing to give McG another shot at the franchise with a better script.

This movie is visually awesome IMO and I'd love to see what McG would do with the full blown future war with T-800s marching in the wastelands.

This movie seemed to be targeted at the fans although the people who weren't Terminator fans seemed to like this movie just the same in the theater I was in. It's an action movie and it doesn't disappoint in that department.

With that said, does anyone else feel like ILM did a half-assed job on this movie?

 

[Darthphere]

If anything, they did too good a job.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

ILM was the only one doing the best job IMHO.

Also I think that more people are mixed on the film than hate it.

 

[Darthphere]

I don't hate it. I just saw potential for greatness and it didn't come close. It's a good action flick, I'll buy it on DVD and watch it when I'm in the mood for explosions with no heart to them.

 

[scatterax]

With that said, does anyone else feel like ILM did a half-assed job on this movie?

what part did ILM mess up on? cuz i think i missed it.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I don't hate it. I just saw potential for greatness and it didn't come close. It's a good action flick, I'll buy it on DVD and watch it when I'm in the mood for explosions with no heart to them.

I agree it actually did have potential but the Catwoman writers are what they are.

what part did ILM mess up on? cuz i think i missed it.

I think that it would be a travesty if ILM didn't get an Oscar nom for these effects.

 

[Crook]

what part did ILM mess up on? cuz i think i missed it.

I personally was disappointed with the CG Arnold.

 

[Mikelus]

But they wouldn't have been able to ape T2 if they did that!

It's seems to me that Marcus Wright is the real hero in this franchise. John Conner being useless as a kid in T2 is alright but John Conner being useless as an Adult is the dumbest thing I've ever seen.

The great leader John Conner should have made that robot his b**ch at the end instead Arno-er Marcus Wright to the rescue!

Too many people all over the internet write Conner instead of CONNOR, is not that hard to get it right, isn't?

Back on topic, TS is just another mediocre action movie when Terminator has so much to offer, that's why getting the right director is key.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Too many people all over the internet write Conner instead of CONNOR, is not that hard to get it right, isn't?

Back on topic, TS is just another mediocre action movie when Terminator has so much to offer, that's why getting the right director is key.

I still say end the franchise but I think that Alfonso Cuaron and Paul Greengrass with actual screenwriters would have come up with something special...with Matt Damon as John Conner because well, he can play more than just grim. I think the he would give the role the real inspirational feel it should have. Bale is a good actor but i don't think he would have been the best man for grown up John Connor, even if he was working with a better script.

 

[Lone]

I personally was disappointed with the CG Arnold.

+1 They should've went with prosthetic make-up look for that scene IMO.

To the rest of you guys asking where ILM dropped the ball, I noticed a lot of the times the cgi didn't seem to blend well. I watched the digital version of the movie so I guess that could've made the flaws in the cgi stand out a lot more.

 

[Darthphere]

The only scene that looked pretty half assed was when the molten steel landed on the T-800. It looked like a shiny burning blanket.